Backtracking

It's been a while since I have written anything, but while looking back at photos from the past months, I have reflected on all of the great moments we have had.  This summer was spent mostly at home.  Sammie did swim team where she improved on her swim times and skills, Abby started a dance class, and Olivia sort of unofficially started high school by taking health at summer school and went to Girl's Camp.  Cousins came to visit, we took trips to the beach, vacationed in Tahoe, and enjoyed one another.  I'll start with the beach trips.  We love our favorite beach and we love it more when friends can come too.  We play all day, swim, boogie board, eat lunch on the beach and then pack up our beach things and clean off before getting back into the car.  We then drive over to our favorite food shack, "The Spot," and eat hot dogs, tacos, and other greasy stuff.  We walk a little around the town, play at the park, stop at the candy shop for some sour fruit strips, and then climb into the car.  Sandy, tired, sun kissed, and full we drive home listening to music quietly while the girls in exhaustion fall in and out of sleep as we make our way over the mountains.  It's dark when we get home.  We unload, shower, and go to bed.  This is summer.

 

Abby's Baptism

On Saturday, May 27th, our sweet and spunky Abby was baptized.  It was such a special weekend.  These moments in our children't lives are memorable and sweet and the spirit was so strong.  We were able to have a family baptism and so just Abby was being baptized that day.  It was a particularly special event because her Grandpa Dave and Grandma Jackie were able to give the talks.  Sammie and her friend played the violin.  I felt so much love that day and that our family was being showered with the spirit.  I think Abby could feel the importance of her decision to be baptized and it reminded the rest of us why we chose to be baptized.  I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It grounds me and teaches me and helps me to feel close to my Savior.  I enjoy watching my children grow and to have experiences like this where they can feel the Spirit and take part in the goodness of the Gospel.  I shared my journal entry with her from the day I was baptized and reminded her to pay attention to the things she would be feeling that day.  Abby come out of the water with excitement on her face.  It was a day about our Heavenly Father's kingdom and his children.  I was so happy for Abby and for our family that day.  It reminded me of so many things that I have tucked away in my heart.  The love I felt was so great.  She had some beautiful pictures taken just like Olivia and Sammie had done.  We were happy to have our family there and I made Abby a little book with all of the photos of that day, but I thought I would put a few of them here.

Last Day of 2016-2017

Just a few photos from the last day of school.  The last week of school is always a whirlwind.  Then when the girls bring everything home we take out their school boxes and I go through all of the papers I saved and sort and throw out and keep.  I just jump right into it.  I let them look through their old school work at the same time and it is such a sweet experience to see their work over the years.  I love seeing the drawings and reading through things they wrote.  Memories help to keep us grounded.  Sammie's teacher sent everyone a fun group picture of her 5th grade class.  There was an award's assembly on the last day of school for some special awards.  Sammie was on the Principal's List all 4 quarters which means all A's and no A-'s.  She works so hard.  She also earned a bar for her school letter by participating in certain activities throughout the year.

Open House

Since this is a giant catch up, I'm just clumping all of this together.  Open House was great as usual.  I always love to capture these moments to see the changes in the girls each year.  Sammie finished up 5th grade and Abby finished 2nd.  Abby especially had the most perfect teacher for her this year.  They are truly kindred spirits and if they were the same age, they would be best friends.  They just really enjoyed one another.  I think  some tears were shed for Abby when she said goodbye to Mrs. Jones.  I'm so grateful for teachers that put in so much time, work, and care for their students.   It has made a difference in my life and my girls' lives.  Sammie is becoming such a good artist.  Aside from her school project, she made a beautiful drawing of her teacher that she gave to her as a gift and she gave her drawing of Teddy Roosevelt to hang in Joey's classroom.  The end of Middle School was eventful for Olivia, I just don't have any pictures!  She went on a trip to Disneyland with all of the 8th graders and we skipped out on 8th grade graduation.  Well, guess what, they still send you your certificate in the mail if you don't attend.  We let her choose and she opted out of going which was fine with us.  She said her goodbyes to her friends at school and is looking ahead to high school.  She started summer school right when the school year ended and had a taste of high school.  Just the smallest taste.

Abby turns 8!

Joey and I took this cute girl to get a Jamba Juice and and a pretzel for her birthday.  I can't believe my baby is 8.  This girl brings such a light and an energy to our home.  She loves to make friends, dance, play soccer and basketball, eat cereal, and play dolls.  Right now she is doing continual cartwheels all over our house. She loves to be on the move except for when she is sneaking onto the tablet in her room to watch Netflix shows and her favorite Youtube channels.  She's kind of sneaky that way.  It's great to be 8 for this girl.

Mother's Day

This picture Abby drew in her Mother's Day book pretty much sums up my mornings.

 On Mother's Day weekend I went out to breakfast and got a pedicure with some of my friends.  It's nice to be pampered.

Backtracking on the last 3 months

I don't know if I have ever taken a break this long from recording the things going on in our family.  May just seemed to be so busy.  A good busy.  And sometimes it is better to look at things when have a little more perspective.  May with school kids is the same every year.  Hectic. School projects, recitals, performances, open house and the ending of the school year, make it full of hustle and bustle. These Snapchat filters say it all while we were waiting for Sammie's 5th grade Performance "Shhh...We're Writing the Constitution."  Olivia had a middle school drama performance that I didn't get a picture of. oops.  

I always love watching Sammie sing.  She has such a cute expression on her face when she sang in both her 5th grade performance and in her choir concert.  Her school choir sang so beautifully.  Their teacher does such a great job teaching.  She is a busy girl with all of the things she has been doing.  She even played in a Spring Soccer League which Joey also ended up coaching sort of by default.  The person who volunteered ended up not being able to come to games and practices.

 Abby had a pajama day at school.  Wearing pajamas to school always seems so fun to kids.  I'd rather not go out in my pajamas, but she enjoyed her day.  It's always a little hard for us to scrounge up some decent looking pajamas that are not too small, or not too hot, or not tank tops and shorts.  Luckily we had these cute ones and she even dressed up her stuffed animal in her matching doll pajamas.

 Sammie and Abby both performed in their piano recital.  Abby just started with a teacher different than myself.  We took a break in the summer but we're starting up again.  They don't enjoy practicing at the moment, but that's the way it is with learning an instrument.

 I had a recital for my music students.  I can't believe all the students I have now.  I enjoy teaching each and every one of them.  I love having music in my home.  I love teaching.  I love that I can share my love of music with them.  It has been a very fulfilling part of my life right now and I'm glad that all of my students will be starting back up next week after being in and out of town over the summer.

Catch Up Time

I have lots to catch up on, but for now...Sammie taught herself how to do a back flip on the trampoline.  She's got skills.